Posted by John Admin

Ottakar’s thinks hobbits and child wizards pushed up its full-year sales and profits. The bookshop chain also improved supplier terms, reduced old stock and overhauled customer accounts during 2001. But the group was also boosted by a host of best-selling titles flying off the shelves, particularly over the festive season. High margin Harry Potter products, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and a biography of comedian Billy Connolly all sold well and contributed to a 6% rise in like-for-like sales to £81.7 million.

The Harry Potter children’s book will remain in the libraries of the Montgomery County schools, a committee decided. A school and citizens’ committee voted Tuesday to keep the books on the shelves. The vote came after two pastors asked that the books removed, saying their ideas on witchcraft could negatively influence children.

From a commercial perspective, 2001 was an exceptional year for European cinema. The box office share of European films climbed in their home markets and in the US export market.

Harry Potter’s critic remains a mystery. The Springfield School District has refused to release a complaint filed against the popular book series, claiming the document does not constitute a public record. The document – a completed “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a Book or Other Instructional Materials” form – was filed by a grandmother of district students, school officials said. The woman objected to the books because of content involving witchcraft, district officials have said.